When is the coroner involved?

There does not have to be anything suspicious about a death for the coroner to be involved. If the doctor is unable to certify the death, the police will be contacted, who will then contact coronial staff.

A death must be referred to the coroner for investigation when:

the cause of death is unknown

the person died unexpectedly

the person died from an accident or injury

the person died in a violent or unnatural way

the person died during or as a result of an anaesthetic or within 24 hours of the anaesthetic

the person died in an institution, a prison or police custody

the person suffering from mental illness or intellectual impairment died whilst accommodated in an institution